Description
Creamy crack chicken penne delivers irresistible comfort straight from home kitchens. Cheesy, herbed pasta combines simple ingredients for a quick family-friendly meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
Pasta:
- 16 oz penne pasta
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup bacon bits
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup chives, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a large baking dish with non-stick spray.
- Cook penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Place whole chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish and generously season with garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
- Dollop cream cheese across the chicken breasts and drizzle ranch dressing evenly over the top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25-30 minutes until chicken is completely cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from oven and shred the chicken directly in the baking dish using two forks, mixing it with the melted cream cheese and ranch sauce.
- Add cooked penne pasta to the chicken mixture, stirring to coat every pasta piece with the creamy sauce.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top and return to the oven for 5-7 minutes until cheese melts completely.
- Remove from oven and garnish with crispy bacon bits, chopped green onions, and chives.
- Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.
Notes
- Swap chicken for rotisserie or pre-cooked chicken to reduce overall cooking time and simplify preparation.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese for a lighter, protein-packed alternative that maintains creamy texture.
- Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes for extra heat and depth of flavor without overwhelming the dish.
- Prepare this recipe ahead of time by assembling everything in the baking dish and refrigerating until ready to bake, making it perfect for meal prep or busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg